Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
GIRDLE
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English girdel, from Old English gyrdel; akin to Old High German gurtil girdle, Old English gyrdan to gird Date: before 12th century something that encircles or confines: as, an article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist, a woman's close-fitting undergarment often boned and usually elasticized that extends from the waist to below the hips, c. shoulder girdle , pelvic girdle , the edge of a brilliant that is grasped by the setting,
II. transitive verb (girdled; girdling)
Date: 1582
to encircle with or as if with a girdle, to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usually to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients, to move around ; circle